Scotland U21 squad announced for March friendlies

AC Oxgangs welcomed Bonnyrigg Rose to Meggetland's artificial pitch on a day where the whole of Scotland was hit by high winds. The home side took full advantage of the elements with three wind assisted long range efforts helping them to race into a five goal lead. Bonnyrigg hit back with a couple of goals of their own, but it was too little too late.

Oxgangs have enjoyed a strong league campaign so far with five wins from seven outings. They entered today's match in the knowledge that, with all four teams sitting above them in the league on cup duty, they could jump into third spot and narrow the gap on pacesetters Haddington. Rose were adapting to life in the top flight fairly well, after winning promotion last year. They went into the game hoping to build on their current position and jump up the table.

Both sides took time to settle, but admirably set about trying to keep the ball on the floor whenever possible, and build from the back. It was a full twenty-five minutes before the first clear sight of goal, but like buses, two came at once. Declan Hogg showed superb skill to control the ball and pick out Connaire Lyons, who saw his shot well held by Mike Gillies. At the other end Josh Anderson beat the offside trap, but was thwarted by a fine diving save from Bruce Connelly, who had been quick to rush off his line.

Played raged from end to end with Dean Whitson the next to go close. His twenty-five yard free kick looked goal bound, only to be met by a fine diving save from Connelly. Both keepers had been in fine form so far, but there was little Bonnyrigg's Gillies could do about the next effort. Thabani Patty picked the ball up on the angle of the area, before blasting a dipping effort underneath the bar. 1-0 to the home side.

As the half drew to a close, it was the same frustrating story for Rose - a near missed followed by concession at the other end. Ryan Henderson was the next to break free of the AC defence, but he blasted the ball wide under pressure from Connelly. And less than sixty seconds later Declan Hogg picked the ball up outside the area and lofted the ball goalwards, before a late gust of wind deceived Gillies and swept the ball into the net. Harsh on the visiting goalkeepeer and his team-mates, but in these conditions, you need to buy a ticket to win the raffle. It proved to be the last action of the first half.

Half Time: AC Oxgangs 95 Under 17s 2-0 Bonnyrigg Rose Under 17s

Bonnyrigg were quick out of the blocks following the restart, putting Oxgangs under pressure for the first five minutes of the half. A number of half chances and set pieces in dangerous areas came to nothing, and they were once again made to pay at the other end. David Scott was the player in the right place at the right time to make it three for AC.

The goal knocked Rose out of their stride and for the next fifteen minutes AC Oxgangs showed why they have aspirations to be challenging for the league title, putting the match to bed in devastating fashion. Portuguese substitute Sidney Yannick Dos Santos made an immediate impact, netting within a minute of taking to the field. And Declan Hogg scored the pick of the bunch, with another drive from outside the area. This time, wind or no wind, not many goalkeepers would have kept out the strike.

By this stage the match had opened right up and to their credit, Bonnyrigg remained dangerous and didn't consider throwing in the towel. They got their reward when Ryan Henderson was on hand to finish after Guy Johanson had struck across the goalmouth. Three minutes later Henderson showed first class technique to volley home his and Rose's second, putting respectability on the scoreline, which was the least the visiting side deserved.

The goals were a wake up call to the home side, who were much more cautious in their approach for the final stages, ensuring their lead wasn't reduced further. Connor Lunn, Oxgangs' second half goalkeeper, saved well from Robbie Wilson with two minutes remaining, but that was as close as the game came to another goal.

AC Oxgangs march on in their title quest, whereas Bonnyrigg competed for long periods, but ultimately were lacking the conviction in the final third that their opponents possessed. Both sides will be looking forward to more favourable conditions next time out.

Full Time: AC Oxgangs 95 Under 17s 5-2 Bonnyrigg Rose Under 17s

AC Oxgangs 95 Under 17s

Bonnyrigg Rose Under 17s

21. Bruce Connelly

2. Andrew Swinney

3. Drew Thomson

4. Nathan Leicester

5. Thabani Patty

6. Adam Spencer

8. Murray McCallum

9. Declan Hogg

11. Jed Baxter

14. David Scott

15. Connaire Lyons

Substitutes:

1. Connor Lunn

12. Aman Habtemeriam

17. Sidney Yannick Dos Santos

1 Mike Gillies

2 Dean Whitson

3 Adam Burton

4 Connor Norris

6 Calum Davidson

7 Calum Murray

8 Josh Foggo

9 Joshua Anderson

14 Ryan Henderson

15 Greg Atkinson

16 Robbie Wilson

Substitutes:

5 Craig More

17 Guy Johanson

Givova are an Italian sportswear brand (click here to see range) who cover all tiers of the game, from Serie A's Chievo Verona and Catania, to grass roots. They have hit Scotland so look out for YFS team members in their Givova kit at your game!